Switzerland To Host First Motorsports Race Since '55 With Formula E GP

September 25, 2017

Switzerland, a country that banned motor racing in '55 "after the sport’s worst accident at Le Mans," will return to the int'l calendar next year with a round of the Formula E championship in Zurich, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. The restrictions on circuit racing were lifted in '15 for fully-electric vehicles. FIA President Jean Todt said that the scheduling of the June 10 race "was the achievement of an important goal for the sport's world body." Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said, "This wouldn't have been possible without the core fundamentals of Formula E -- driving the electric revolution and sustainable mobility. Following the recent law changes this race was also made possible with the instrumental support of our Swiss partner, Julius Baer" (REUTERS, 9/21). DIGITAL TRENDS' Stephen Edelstein reported the Zurich race will be part of Formula E’s fourth season, which begins in December and "stretches" to the end of July '18. The season kicks off with a doubleheader in Hong Kong from Dec. 2-3. Other races will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco; Santiago, Chile; Mexico City; São Paulo, Brazil; Rome; Paris; Berlin; N.Y. (doubleheader); and Montreal, Canada (doubleheader). As automakers "gear up to build more electric road cars," Formula E is attracting increased attention from manufacturers. Audi will field its own Formula E team for the first time this season, and BMW will manufacture powertrains for the Andretti Autosport team in the '18-19 season. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche will also join the series in '19 (DIGITAL TRENDS, 9/22).